(Disclaimer: all comic recommendations are from a speculative vantage point. Not all comics are to guarantee a return on your investment. This article is used as a guide for investments and more so for entertainment purposes. Any opinions or expression of investments should be used as a judgment upon the investor, not InvestComics. Please use your own discretion when investing and have fun.)

Welcome to the InvestComics Hot Picks

Allow me to reminisce a bit; I need to inform everyone on something very spectacular and drive home a point, if there is one…….

There comes a certain time within a startup business that one can be very proud of their personal achievements. Although there have been several for InvestComics (my fourth child), the ones that stick out are the ones I will cherish and tell myself “Hey you CAN truly make this happen”. Meeting and interviewing the mecca of all comic book legends; Stan Lee, twice! That’s one. Having Mr. Lee utter the words of “InvestComics” on video, forever captured, encapsulated in time, that’s two. Meeting and interviewing my late father’s artist hero (which he never met); Bill Sienkiewicz, that’s three. Starting the InvestComics Publishing Company, that’s number four. Watching the traffic numbers climb to a number you’ve envisioned, and then exceeding it each and every year, that’s five. If I continue I will run out of Microsoft paper, but you get the idea here.

Yesterday one of those pinnacle moments happened again. InvestComics was accepted to write articles for Yahoo!. It’s one of those moments like the aforementioned you pinch yourself and say “wow” this is kinda awesome. I will post on Facebook and the InvestComics website the links to check out. They will be Exclusive articles on Yahoo! From InvestComics. These articles will ONLY appear on Yahoo! and no place else. So be sure to click on the links when they are provided so you can bask in the glory with me. Also, I ask to please share them. The articles are very simple now, but will be enhanced; as did everything else with InvestComics when first started. Here are two links to the very first articles on Yahoo!. InvestComics Top 10 – New Comic Releases and Back Issues for 10/30/13and InvestComics Top Ten – New Comic Releases and Back Issues for 11/6/13. As stated, these articles will be more in-depth with the next releases. Baby steps…

Thanks to you……the fans…. for making this happen. Thank you for all of your support, none of this is possible without you.

Christmas is officially 24 days away. The InvestComics/Ratchet City Comics giveaway is still on, but we need to get to 3000 LIKES on Facebook in order to award the prize! The winner will receive a CGC Signature Series graded 9.8 Star Wars #1 (2013) Dark Horse comic signed by Brian Wood! Click HERE and SHARE the InvestComics Facebook page everywhere! Be sure to let us know so that you can be entered to win!! Let’s get to 3000!!

InvestComics Hot Picks – New Comic Releases 12/4/13

Just like last week’s InvestComics Hot Picks, not much in the back issue department to check out, but plenty of new issues to check out.

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We start the week off with some first appearances that you may want to check out. Avengers (2012 5th Series) Annual #2013 will introduce Zamira. It’s always nice to make sure as a collector to pick up a first appearance in an Avengers book. Knowing full well that annuals don’t usually account to much, but the way things are rolling these days, you never know. So basically, I don’t care that it’s in an annual. Especially that it’s in an Avengers title. The speculator needs to get this comic. The Arrow series on CW is doing quite well for itself these days. The Green Arrow comic is faring okay though. With the release of Green Arrow (2011 4th Series) #26 this week, look for the introduction of some new villains in these pages. In the bizarre first appearance world of comics this week we have Longshot Saves The Marvel Universe (2013) #3. Check out Hulkvengers, Cosmic Carnage, Wolverine King of Vampires among others. Silly, yet once again you never know!

Having a name like Man-Bat is the equivalent of having the name She-Bat, right?? Well anyways, this week in Detective Comics (2011 2nd Series) #26, John Layman brings the She-Bat to the forefront. Here’s a quick trivia question, you must know the answer in 4 seconds flat. Ready? Where is the first appearance of She-Bat…..1,2,3,4 BZZZZ! Time’s up! The first appearance is in Detective Comics #407 (1971) by legend Neal Adams. Now that’s at least a reason to own the book, right?!

If you’re a fan of any Spidey comic these days you will realize that anything is possible with the way a storyline can twist and turn. There may be a similar path this week withSuperior Spider-Man (2012) #23. Marvel promises to have the most “cringe-worthy moment is Spider-Man history” happen in this comic. What is worth a statement like that? Well you’ll have to buy the comic to find out. “….In history”, that’s very mighty of them to say isn’t it? Superior Spider-Man #23 is a definite pick-up this week.

Amazing X-Men (2013) #2 features a fan fav Dale Keown variant that’s sold out at Diamond. Possibly a nice CGC Signature Series opportunity here. It’s a $40 variant, so score a 9.8 or higher.

Inhumanity (2013) #1 variant by Nick Bradshaw is sold out. Inhumans will be a hot commodity for a bit, so be on top of them. Check out last week’s InvestComics Hot Picks #296 for more on the Inhumans.

The popular on-line video game Hawken will get its own comic book this week from Archaia Studios Press; Hawken Melee (2013) #1. It’s almost sold out at the distributor, so be sure to check in on it.

Want to follow the story of three dogs surviving the extinction of the human race in Rover Red Charlie (2013) #1? Sounds a bit over the top right? With proven talent like writer Garth Ennis on this book, one cannot help but see what this is all about.

Another zombie book finds its way to the new release shelf this week; Deadworld Restoration (2013) #1. The zombie genre is going to die soon (no pun intended) with too many storylines focusing on dead people that walk around. See last week’s Hot Picks #296 for more on the zombie genre.

What’s not dead on arrival is the new red hot Noir comic from Dynamite Entertainment. Noir (2013 Dynamite) #2 is sold out at the distributor. Look for second prints to follow shortly.

There is a “thing” Dynamite Entertainment is doing that is kind of perplexing (not really, they’re making extra cash with these “rare comics”), but maybe cool for the collector/speculator? It’s a question because there is no reasoning behind why they continue to do this to certain comics (other than the cashflow) and they are extremely limited, but we’ll point out a few of them this week. Red Sonja Unchained #4 Cover D High-End Mel Rubi Blood Red Ultra-Limited Cover. There are only 25 of these in existence. The “number” in existence is the running theme here, so check out what applies here for these comics; Dejah Thoris And The Green Men Of Mars #5 Cover G High-End Jay Anacleto Risque Color Ultra-Limited Cover (50 Copies), Lords Of Mars #5 Cover D High-End Mel Rubi Risque Red Ultra-Limited Cover (50 Copies), Black Bat (2013 Dynamite) #7 Cover D High-End Ardian Syaf Black & White Ultra-Limited Cover (50 Copies), and Shadow Green Hornet Dark Nights #2 Cover E High-End Alex Ross Sketch Art Ultra-Limited Cover (25 Copies). I do suppose that if you want to spend a $100 on any of these comics you can, but how exactly do you make your money back on these “investments”? (If you want to call it an investment). Graded CGC Signature Series? How would one sell something that isn’t really in much demand? Getting an Alex Ross sig series on the Shadow Green Hornet Dark Nights #2 is a good start.

Sticking with the Dynamite Comics here, be sure to check out Legends of Red Sonja (2013 Dynamite) #2 with the Frank Thorne exclusive cover. It’s a much cheaper route than the above mentioned. A $3.99 comic limited to comic subscribers at their local comic shops and an initial limited print run. All that for $3.99, not bad.

(Disclaimer: all comic recommendations are from a speculative vantage point. Not all comics are to guarantee a return on your investment. This article is used as a guide for investments and more so for entertainment purposes. Any opinions or expression of investments should be used as a judgment upon the investor, not InvestComics. Please use your own discretion when investing and have fun.)

Welcome to the InvestComics Hot Picks

Before heading right into this week’s InvestComics Hot Picks, there are a few comics that have been highlighted over the past week or so on InvestComics that need some love. Well not love so much, but some undivided attention. I’d like to point them out in this article so that speculators can plan accordingly during a slower week like this one.

News from director Zack Synder confirmed that Nightwing (aka Dick Grayson) will in fact appear in the new Superman sequel yet unofficially titled Batman vs. Superman. Great news for the comic book fans, but not so much on the collectors/speculators side. How so you may ask? Well, Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (1984) and the problem with this classic comic is the one thing no hobby enthusiasts likes to hear……overprint. This comic is so easily accessible it’s not even funny. While the overprint shouldn’t deter you to still own this comic (how do you not own it already??), do realize that the aftermarket will be inundated with the first appearance of Nightwing as it already is. Great comic, too bad there are too many copies are floating around. There is however a way to get a little more bang for your buck, but you should know how to do this already…..

InvestComics reported on Marvel teaming up with Netflix for their next venture onto the small screen. It involves Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage getting television shows and all leading up to a “Defenders” mini-series. How lucky can a comic book fan be these days?! A comic that must be in your collection and is a beauty is the first appearance of the Defenders team in Marvel Feature #1 (1971). There is nothing more to say……..buy this comic book!

With the recent success of the Arrow television show for the folks over at the CW station, they are once again looking at the DC catalog and have found iZombie. Zombies are hot for reasons that are obvious, but will it equate to the demise, the watering down of the genre? We’ll have to wait and see. Until then, you already missed out by digging in the $1 bins at your local shop for the first DC/Vertigo iZombie #1 (2010) when InvestComics broke the news, so now the question is how much of a risk are you willing to take on this comic? You have two options here. Go for the first appearance of iZombie in House of Mystery Halloween Annual #1 (2009) which has sold for more than $50 on Ebay or the iZombie #1 comic that has sold for as high as $25. Big risk here because this series is no Walking Dead and the zombie genre will eventually settle down some. What if the television series craps out? Too many risk factors with this one here.

And possibly the best news to come out from television land came late last night on InvestComics. The once very hot Preacher series from DC/Vertigo will be considered for a pilot from AMC. A Preacher #1 (1995) CGC 9.8 sold yesterday on Ebay for $185. If you have this comic, I urge you to get it graded and sit on it. It’s going to be a big book. The comic series was a rousing success and there is no reason to think that the (possible) television series wouldn’t be either. Writer Garth Ennis brings his “A” game to everything he’s involved with. The highly successful Preacher series is evidence of this. IF the Preacher gets its own TV show, Preacher #1 will be a comic to own, big time.

In the “In case you missed it department”

In association with Ratchet City Comics, InvestComics will be celebrating the InvestComics Hot Picks #300 in a BIG way! The 300th InvestComics Hot Picks will be coming out the same week as Christmas, so on December 25th, Christmas day, we will be giving away a Star Wars #1 (2013 – Dark Horse) CGC Signature Series graded 9.6 Signed by writer Brian Wood!! The comic is pictured here and can be yours if you share the InvestComics web page everyplace you can to help us reach 3000 Likes on the Facebook page. FULL details right HERE!! Share!!

InvestComics Hot Picks – New Release Comics on 11/30/13

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Believe it or not A Plus X (2012 Marvel Now) #14 will lead the way this week. It’s with good reason of course. The issue finds Max Bemis conducting writing duties. Why and who is Max? Well he’s a comic book fan and is also the front man in a rock band called Say Anything. He’s also the co-singer in a band called Two Tongues. I have to admit, I have absolutely no idea who the bands are or who Max is, but the kids tell me they know him and them! So why exactly are we talking about this comic again? Oh yeah, this is Max’s first published comic book work. The last time a rock dude crossed over, all hell broke loose for a little bit. Let me remind you……Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance)? Umbrella Academy? Oh yes that! You remember now. So check out A + X #14 and see if Max pulls off a keeper here.

Harley Quinn begins her quest this week in her own regular series; starting with Harley Quinn (2013) #0. We all know by now that Harley first appeared in the Batman: Harley Quinn (1999) soft cover graphic novel. That classic Alex Ross cover is forever etched in our minds. So that comic is probably already filed away in your Bat box someplace. This week however, the Harley Quinn #0 Stephane Roux variant cover is sold out. Buying this comic will set you back $30, but how long can Harley really hold her own though? Maybe we’ll get an answer to that question sooner rather than later.

Battlestar Galactica always seems to be that red-headed step child doesn’t it? (No offense to red-heads! My sister is a red-head!). It’s always been that show that just can’t seem to get out of its own way. The first television series back in 1978 lasted two seasons, the second series lasted a whopping 4 seasons, and the original Marvel Comics series lasted 23 issues. No major motion picture, no talks of ever taking Battlestar to another level. Very odd no? Well maybe not. Maybe it’s just not a strong franchise. Yes, maybe it’s time to accept that Battlestar is not Star Trek, Star Wars, or even Stargate; Space 1999 maybe, but not any of the aforementioned. The intention here is not to bash Battlestar, but to find an understanding as to why so many failed attempts at a space series that has such a huge following. Dynamite hasn’t given up on BG though! This week Battlestar Galactica Starbuck (2013 Dynamite) #1 is on the cusp of a sell-out. That’s right fans, there is still a core audience that demands BG and Dynamite is here to provide it! Looks like a fun read!

Forever Evil Rogues Rebellion (2013) #2 variant is sold out. It’s only a $10 variant and it’ll probably stay put right there. There is nothing special about this comic at all except an exceptionally weak villain in Parasite wreaking havoc. A fun story, but nothing for the speculator here.

Although Superior Spider-Man (2012) Annual #1 might be sold out by the next new comic book day, it still has that “Annual” stigma attached to it. The Marvel solict says “this one counts!” Even they realize the stigma attached. It’s far and few between that any comic book annuals make an impact on the hobby. They do exist, but not on a level of any expectations that collectors clamor for. In the Superior Spider-Man annual #1 though, we see the return of Blackout. The Blackout villain first appeared in Nova #19 (1978). Will the debut of Blackout be a draw? Most likely no, but the Nova character on the other hand………buy Nova. Yes, buy Nova.

X-Men (2013) 3rd Series #7 brings back an old foe. Lady Deathstrike from Daredevil #197 (1983). That’s a nice book to have. Not a be all end all, but an okay book.

If you have children then you know about Ben 10. You know that Ben 10 is on your television set when you are getting the kids ready for school. Yes I get the explanation every morning on which alien Ben has turned into and what he can do. Fun times! IDW wants my boy to read comics too, which is a great thing. Check out Ben 10 (2013 IDW) #1 this week for your kids. Get them reading! DC Comics were the first to jump into the Ben 10 craze and now IDW is doing the same. Good times!

A few weeks back InvestComics asked that you’d get a beat on the Afterlife with Archie #1 comic. Boy did we hit that one! This week the initial offering of Afterlife With Archie (2013) #2 will be a bit different. It seems as though the zombiefied Archie interest has died down a tad quickly, but do not let this deter you from getting the second issue. There is still might be “life” in this zombie Archie.

If there is THE number one comic to get this week, it has to be Voice in the Dark (2013 Image) #1. Check out why our girl Zoey hasn’t killed anyone in about 72 days. She’s a radio DJ too. Not much to go on right? Well it’s an Image Comic, they release great stories AND it’s sold out already.

In association with Ratchet City Comics, InvestComics will be celebrating the InvestComics Hot Picks #300 in a BIG way! The 300th InvestComics Hot Picks will be coming out the same week as Christmas, so on December 25th, Christmas day, we will be giving away a Star Wars #1 (2013 – Dark Horse) CGC Signature Series graded 9.6 Signed by writer Brian Wood!! The comic is pictured here and can be yours if you share the InvestComics web page everyplace you can to help us reach 3000 Likes on the Facebook page. FULL details right HERE!! Share!!

Welcome to the InvestComics Hot Picks for New Comic Releases on 10-23-13

Back from the New York Comic Con! Another year in the books, and boy was this year’s show spectacular. InvestComics along with Rafael Rosario of RatchetCity Comics dominated the floor with images, as well as come away with a few interviews. Interviews with the creative team of the hit animated series on Fox Bob’s Burgers, Late night host Pete Holmes (TBS), WWE stars Kane and Hornswoggle, WWE studio president Michael Luisi, Directors Jen and Sylvia Soska, Animal Planets’ Finding Bigfoot cast, and the SECOND (with a microphone this time!) interview with Stan “the man” Lee!! Yes it was a great time to say the least.

InvestComics put together a short video montage of various awesome photos taken by Rafael Rosario (with some bad photos taken by yours truly!). Many of the photos in the video do not give the viewer a “full display” of the picture. So there will be a post on InvestComics with a gallery of full displayed images coming soon. Until then, check out the video below. Some of the cosplay this year was simply outstanding. If you see someone you may know in the video, please share it with them.

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The crowds were plentiful as always at the show. Expansion will probably happen again either next year or shortly thereafter. The show itself is definitely becoming the San Diego Comic Con on the east coast. It’s more about the glitz and glamour of the media world rather than the comics themselves mostly. Yes the Image Comics/Marvel Comics booths were absolutely a mad house as they always are, but no signs of an actual “mad house” around the comic book booths tucked away in 3 aisles if that many. The comic booths did have some traffic, but it was nowhere as near as it was everywhere else. Yes the media outlets have taken over, and that’s okay too because it gives the comic book world extra juice. Especially small media…..

Small publishing media were doing their thing too! Creature Entertainment was constantly busy, as were their neighbor Cosmic Times. Be sure to look for those publishers at your local show, they are always making their rounds in the circuit. Our pals at Unstoppable Comics were doing very well as we checked in from time to time, as was our bud, our favorite colorist Jeff Balke! Jeff Kaufman of Big City Comics Studio was drawing all sorts of attention with his stellar graphic novel Angel Falling and his Whore book. And our friend; media mogul, owner of Hound Comics Brimstone was uber busy signing and making appearances everywhere. All and all, it was a busy show for everyone.

One of the more puzzling questions at the New York Comic Con this year; what happened to DC??! Yes DC Comics were nowhere to be found. Yes they had their little signing area WAY in the back area in artist alley, but no booth?? Very odd. Many fans were perplexed by this move. DC however, did have the “75 Years of Superman” display in the court by the coat and luggage check! Displayed in glass cases were all of the Superman costumes worn throughout the years from various Superman movies. Once you were over the amazement and coolness of it, it quickly became, “that’s it?” DC dropped the ball here. They could have had various Superman creators along with the displays present. It would have been a nice token/gesture to recognize the artist and writers of the past that have worked on making the Superman comic throughout the years. Have a free giveaway comic, have them sign it or talk to fans, take pictures. It’s quite absurd that Neal Adams (and many others) were sitting in the next room and he (they) weren’t sitting there for a little while to honor this momentous occasion. Rant over!

InvestComics got a hold of some very rare Walking Dead variants from the Image Comics booth. The Walking Dead #1 New York Comic Con variant has a print run of only 2000!! If you’re interested in buying one, you can head over to the InvestComics Ebay page right HERE and bid away! Remember only 2000 of these exist! Rare indeed.

Before heading off to New York Comic Con, InvestComics released our first ever InvestComics Publications comic The Dawning #1 by David Whalen. There have been many sales of the book and we will be shipping them out this week. So if you ordered please be patient. Thanks! Oh and just in case you missed the ordering details, click right HERE to order now!

Also before heading off to New York, InvestComics announced a new contest to win a SIGNED Chris Claremont Excalibur #1! That’s right, legend Chris Claremont! If that doesn’t entice you, how about this? How about your chance to grab one of the hottest books out right now signed by the artist? How about Batman The Dark Knight #23.4 Joker’s Daughter #1 SIGNED by artist Georges Jeanty?!! Yes this comic can be WON by YOU! Share the InvestComics website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram and all other social media anywhere and you will be entered to win! Be sure to (hashtag) #investcomics when you share. Each contest is separate though, The Excalibur and the Batman comic, so be sure to specify which comic you are after! Also alert InvestComics via Facebook or Twitter or here that you shared!

Onward we go!!

InvestComics Hot Picks for Comic Releases 10-23-13

So you missed that number one issue that InvestComics recommended you pick up. What were you thinking?! So now the question you may ask is what’s worse than a number one issue selling out and missing it? Well a number two issue selling out and missing it! Often times after a number one sells out, the interest tends to make the second issue a sellout as well. The tricky part here is, will the second issue hold up the series or will fans toss it because the story simply is not enough for them to stick around. If the story holds up, then you are definitely onto something as far as the aftermarket is concerned. Case in point this week with Rat Queens (2013 Image) #2, Sex Criminals (2013) #2, and Other Dead (2013 IDW) #2. Image Comics are simply killing it. They have put out more aftermarket greatness in the past couple of years than many can count. They continue to do so this week with these releases. Do not get caught short here, especially with any of the hot books that contain any variants. Get the variants CGC graded (9.8 or better a must), signature series (9.8 or better a must), and sell them for double/triple the value easily.

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While we are on topic of number two issues, what gives with DC Universe vs Masters of the Universe (2013) #2? A “Top Secret” black cover obviously reveals nothing and because of this it’s essentially sold out already? Justice League makes an appearance, but wow, it’s a He-Man comic and it’s sold out. Let that sink in folks. But with a legend writer Keith Giffen on the book, it makes sense too.

DC’s lone number one comic to make it to the Hot Picks this week is Beware The Batman (2013) #1. An all ages Batman comic that has the SOLD OUT sign up on the variant. No sold out sign for Marvel’s Marvel Now What (2013) #1, but a fun comic read nonetheless! Marvel will “change things FOREVER” in Iron Man (2012 5th Series) #17. The last part of the Secret Origin of Tony Stark storyline. And going back to DC, we have Justice League Dark (2011) #24 with the New Justice League Dark. Is that really the cover? The white sound? Hmmm, okay.

Samurai Jack makes his triumphant return in Samurai Jack (2013 IDW) #1. Jack’s first comic appearance came back in DC’s Samurai Jack Special #1 (2002). If the world is ready for Jack in a big way, the number one special will be……special.

Pretty Deadly (2013 Image) #1 and Velvet (2013 Image) #1, both from Image Comics are…..you guessed it, SOLD OUT! Velvet #1 includes writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting! Each week the same format rings true here; buy Image Comics. Be sure to stay on top of these Image Comics, it won’t be long before they open that huge movie studio and start cranking out these comics into cinema beauty. Hey, you never know!

Welcome to the InvestComics Hot Picks for new comic releases on 1-30-13.

Well the news has come out and boy is the aftermarket a’buzzing! Much thanks to Sebastian Piccione of InvestComics and the awesome video review show FFFIC on the InvestComics YouTube channel, if you followed his instructions you would have been picking up the Sixth Gun comic a long long time ago. NBC has partnered up with the creators; Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt to begin a pilot for them. This is great news if you’re already an owner of the Sixth Gun #1 issue from Oni Press. Why you ask? Do you really have to ask? Well here’s the scoop. On Ebay right now, a seller has 2 number one issues in VF condition no less selling for $90+!! The comics are probably well past that price point since this was as of 2 days ago. Well here’s the question to ask, do I buy? Well here’s the thing with these types of comics. I say “types” because it’s really just a hot item right now because of the announcement from NBC and the fact it may be a successful show (see Walking Dead). Now the other question comes into play, how much is too much? Well a graded copy of Walking Dead #1 sold recently for $10,000. If you’re a regular reader of this column, you’d know that as a collector I personally think that paying that much for a graded Walking Dead number one is absurdity at its finest. Zombie movies, comics, stories are not a new thing. This too shall fade away eventually, leaving that buyer that spent 10 grand on a book that will be worth a third of that in given time. The same may apply to the Sixth Gun. While a spectacular comic and story, the quick bump in the pricing market may be because of the possible outcome of the show and its future. It’s a tricky/dicey bet here to go out and buy high on this comic right now ($50+ range?). The best advice to offer here may seem like a copout, but it’s the most honest. Go with your gut on this. Here are the positives here to help you along; the story itself has never really been done before, making for a fresh take on something “new” as oppose to something “old”. It has potential for a franchise in the sense that the six guns are always to be sought after for their powers, thus making for a constant chase, thus for making for constant story, thus making for constant potential. The negatives are quite simple here. What if the story does not translate to the small screen? The pilot is a flop and you are left holding a $50+ comic in your hands with no aftermarket value. The risk is big here. $50+ is not something you want to just blow away on such uncertainty. I will leave you with one certainty however. There are only 3 CGC graded Sixth Guns #1 issues out there at the moment. If you think you may own a good 9.8 or higher grade, send it off to CGC right away. If you score a 9.8 or higher (hope hope) you will then triple your money in the aftermarket. Or you may want to hold onto it and wait for A: the market to heat up some more (which probably will) Or B: wait for the good reviews (maybe/maybe not) to come in regarding the pilot. Bottom line, go with your gut, it’s usually never wrong.

HOT PICKS

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Let’s move along to the new Marvel and DC Universe’s. As said countless times here on the InvestComics Hot Picks; the best thing about the restarts/relaunch of these two companies is the influx of new heroes and villains as well as the returning/revamps of some of them. This week Marvel’s Avengers (2012 5th Series) #4 gives us the origin of Hyperion. Hyperion first appeared in the original Avengers series (1963). The issue was Avengers #69 (1969). The value here is at the $80 mark. Not too bad for a character that hasn’t really been “A rated”. Here’s a nice nugget though; only 100 total copies sit out there graded and only 5 are in the 9.8 spot. If you can muscle away a very nice non graded copy (9.8 – good luck, not an easy task), you’d be able to flip it for some decent change.

Another non- listed A rated character makes his long awaited return (who was really wanting on this guy anyway?). Dark Avengers (2012 Marvel) 2nd Series #186 sets the return of…..ready?? U.S. Agent! Okay so maybe not the biggest star in the sky, but he’s a cool dude! Check out Captain America #323 (1986) for his debut. The CGC market doesn’t really have many of these copies graded at the moment. Only 21 graded with a top heavy 6 issues in the 9.8 category. Not so bad here if you think you can score a 9.8 at $4, send it off and try to flip it by upselling it on Ebay. Not that hard of an issue to find.

X-Men Legacy #5 will introduce two new villains. Yay, more bad guys….gals. Whichever.

DC feels it necessary to give He-Man his own origin book this week. Masters of the Universe The Origin of He-Man (2013)#1 gives us an awesome cover though doesn’t it? If you feel like you’re in the hunting mode, look for the debut of He-Man in Masters of the Universe from Mattel (1981). Good luck finding that in NM condition.

And finally from DC, we have Batman The Dark Knight (2011 2nd Series) #16 coming out this week with debut penciler Ethan Van Sciver. We don’t have to get into how much Ethan’s pencils are boss. This guy can flat out draw. With Ethan on the new Bat book, it got me thinking of where Ethan’s earliest Batman art occurred. It brought me way back to 2001 Justice Leagues: JL? #1. What’s up with the title? Anyway, if you want Ethan’s first(?) Batman work you can probably find it hiding in a long box someplace for a buck. If you want to make a quick buck, you pair up the latest Ethan Batman with his “first Batman” and sell that on Ebay as a pair. Send me at least 7%. Thanks.

Image Comics will release Invincible (2003) #100. Expect instant sellouts on this book. More so there is a golden nugget here that will pay very high dividends if you are able to score it. With the release of the modern day Peter Parker like character comic, there will be 9 variant covers. There will be one in particular you will need to grab in order to make an almost guarantee profit. The Ryan Ottley wraparound Sketch Cover will be a cool $85 when it comes out. Look for the aftermarket to command more than the $85 you spent on it….quickly. If you feel so inclined, you may want to get it graded to make even more money. This fans is the variant to get!

On the cosmetic front we have Spawn (1992) #227 coming out. Todd McFarlane continues his very smart money grab here and continues to pay homage to various famous comic covers. Todd pays homage to himself this week with the copying of Amazing Spider-Man #300. Todd is still great and a smart business man within the comic book industry. Not so much baseball, but comics. Sorry Todd! We still love ya!

That’s it for now. Remember to listen to the newest and greatest Podcast ever! Breaking the 4th Wall brought to you by InvestComics. Shaun Cobble & Shaun Sorenson are doing their thing; listen in to maybe start winning some prizes too! And also the weekly video comic book review show; FFFIC! Watch that each week. This past week Ernest Mesa won a signed Mark Bagley autograph! What creator autograph will be next? Stay tuned and find out!

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This year we’re starting a whole new tradition. In honor of our favorite comic book/TV show/soon to be movie (you know it’s gonna happen!) we’re celebrating zombies. It’s true that this year’s offerings are scarce. We had hoped to bring in more strips featuring your favorite monsters. Perhaps next year there will be more. Much more. So here’s a challenge: Do a web search for zombie cartoons and post a link below. In the meantime, here’s today’s “Joseph!” along with a bonus re-run.

Berkeley, CA – 25 April 2011 – The first issue of Image Comics’ grisly new zombie comic, ’68, has impressed ravenous horror fans so much that the first printing sold out at the distribution level right as copies were hitting the shelves. In an effort to provide comic shops with uninterrupted availability of this gruesome new miniseries, a second printing of ’68 will return to stores soon with an all new cover by artist Nat Jones.
’68 originally began as a one shot which can be found in HORROR BOOK, VOL. 1 TP, an anthology that also contains other horror titles such as CREATURE FROM THE DEPTHS, FRANKENSTEIN, and FULL MOON.
The first issue of the new ’68 miniseries delves straight away into the base camps, dark jungles and tunnels of Vietnam in 1968, where writer Mark Kidwell (Bump) guides doomed young soldiers among the countless rotting undead victims of war. Artist Nat Jones (FRANK FRAZETTA’S DEATH DEALER) illustrates the fine details of decomposition and Jay Fotos (LOCKE & KEY, SPAWN) provides expert coloring, including plenty of bloody red gore!
Besides receiving plenty of attention from enthusiastic zombie fans, ’68 has also captured the attention of the press:
“Image already has a flesh-eating hit with Robert Kirkman’s THE WALKING DEAD, and it may soon have another, with the ’68 creative team — writer Mark Kidwell, penciler and inker Nat Jones and colorist Jay Fotos — and their horrific emphasis on war-torn drama, carnage, gore and loads of blood spatter. ” — USA Today
“…the team behind ’68 actually come across as horror fans and it shows in their work and the details.” — Player Affinity
“Deserving of great praise, ’68 is a brilliant example of story and art fused together! …This is an incredibly smart and captivating look at war through the zombie genre. When you start reading, you’ll ask yourself, “Why didn’t anyone think of this before?” No comic book fan should miss out on ’68…” — Fangoria
“There just aren’t very many original zombie stories left out there, but ’68 is going to be one of them.” — Newsarama
“The entire ’68 team is blown away by the news of our first issue selling out!” said Kidwell. “As independent creators, we all share a huge workload in bringing the book to the readers, and it’s deeply gratifying to all of us that ’68 has found its audience and been so enthusiastically received.
“Huge thanks to everyone who picked up the book and to those who took the time to let us know how much they liked it! We invite you all to stick with us as we move deeper into the jungles. It’s gonna be a nightmare!”
’68 #1 Second Printing (MAR118186), a gory 32-page full color war/horror comic book, as well as ’68 #2 (MAR110569, MAR110570 and MAR110571) will each be on sale May 18, 2011 for $3.99. HORROR BOOK, VOL. 1 TP (APR082177), a 128-page full color anthology of horror comics, is still available for $14.99.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.